Chapter Text
Lance was not the perfect Avatar, he knew this. Well, sort of knew it. He understood that he was not as spiritually in tuned with nature as much as he should be, but he had managed to build up his ego enough to the point where it didn’t bother him. He had all but just mastered the four elements. The one that was giving him trouble was fire, but it wasn’t anything (in his mind at least) that he had to worry about.
He sat meditating quietly in the center of the dark room. The fire nation symbol labeled proudly in front of him, along with his elderly firebending master, propped up stiffly in front of him. The only light in the room came from a small candle which he was suppose to be steadily bending with his breath. His mentor had one just like it and was allowing the flame to rise and fall and in a controlled and relaxing pace. His eyes were closed, showing the wrinkles that creased his face around the eyes and mouth.
Lance slowly peaked one of his deep blue eyes open, peering over at the quiet old man. If he didn’t know any better, he would have assumed he was sleeping. Lance opened his other eye, and stared at him for a moment before letting out a long drawn out, hopefully silent sigh.
Taking the opportunity of his master’s shielded gaze, he slumped his shoulders, rolled his neck, then arched his back, stretching away from the stiff position. His eyes bounced around the room like a child, trying to find something of interest to distract him from his dreary task of just breathing.
He heard the soft sound of footsteps tap outside of the door, followed by two very familiar feminine voices. A fit of multiple giggles leaked through the thin walls and they were enough to perk him right up. Before they had even managed to complete a full three taps against the door, Lance was too his feet.
“I’ll get it!”
His master slowly opened his old eyes and watched Lance bolt over to the dark red door, sliding it open wildly.
“Lance? You’re still here?” The dark skinned princess asked.
“Why yes princess, isn’t that why you’re here?” He flirted, propping his arm on the door frame and leaning his weight against it. His other hand trailed down and rested itself on his hip but only after combing his thin fingers through his brown hair.
The princess, whom was known as Allura, raised a single eyebrow at him before answering, “No, I was actually here to deliver a message to your master.”
Before he knew it, the old fire bender was standing behind him, peering over Lance’s shoulder.
“Princess Allura of the Northern water tribe, it is quite an honor.” He said without smiling, and bowed at the waist in a respectful manner. Lance found no need to bow to her. They were both from the same tribe and had practically grown up together. Besides he was the Avatar, and as he had reminded her time and time again, she should be bowing to him. (she never does)
“Master Lyn, I am sorry to intrude on your lessons.” She said with a mirroring bow at the waist.
“Not at all. Nothing productive was getting done anyhow.”
Lance caught the glare coming from out of the corner of his master’s eyes, and gulped, averting his gaze quickly.
“Do you mind if we speak in private?” She asked.
“Wait what? Private? You do mean with me too, right?” Lance asked, obviously offended by the thought of him, the Avatar, not being apart of something that sounded important.
“On the contrary, you are the last person I wish to hear this information.” The strictness in her voice, he must admit, sent a chill right down his spine, “Shay will gladly keep you company until we are finished.” She cheerfully added, and the tall shy looking girl named Shay, who had been standing slightly off to the side, smiled.
Lance looked at her, and smiled back. He actually liked Shay, and had no objection to the plan. Soon the princess entered the dark room and shut the door behind her. Lance let out a sigh and walked across the wide royal hallway, decorated in various reds, oranges and pinks. He perched himself up on one of the ledges sticking out from the dark granite wall.
“How have lessons been?” Shay asked, meandering over toward him, “I heard you’ve been struggling.”
Lance just smirked, lounging onto his back. He folded one arm behind his head while he lifted the other to snap his fingers together, letting quick spiral of air swirl around his fingertips, “I wouldn’t necessarily call it that. It’s just taking me a while.”
“Really? Hunk explained to me that last week you attempted to perform a simple breath attack, and it basically blew up in your face.”
Lance face twisted and the last spiral of air spat out of existence. He sprung up, “I- That was just a freak accident!” He protested quickly.
Shay chuckled, “Yes, one out of many.”
Lance tried to glare at her, but then just let out a sigh, dropping his arms. “Ok fine, I’m struggling.”
“I’m actually impressed with you Lance, If I were you I don’t know if I could remain this patient.”
Lance shrugged, “I’m just as surprised as you are.”
She slowly took a seat next to him, peering up at the red fire nation flag hanging over Lance’s training room, “What do you think of master Lyn anyhow? He seems...odd to me, and very quiet.”
“Oh, don’t be fooled. He may be quiet, but when he gets angry he doesn’t hold back.”
This made Shay smile again, and Lance decided to shift the mood.
“Soooooo, how’s Hunk?” Lance cooed, causing Shay to blush.
“He is fine,” She said, “We are planning to go to the festival tomorrow night.” She turned her head to face him, “Are you going?”
Lance grinned, “You know it! No way I’m missing out on that!”
“Great, I look forward to seeing you there. I heard some of your other friends will be coming as well.”
Lance’s eyes suddenly widened, “Wait what? What friends?”
Shay’s face grew pale and she quickly pressed her lips together, “I...Uh...Nothing, forget I said anything.”
Lance’s narrowed his gaze at her, pushing his face forward suspiciously, which she tried desperately to avoid looking at.
“Shay, tell me,”
She whimpered, “Oh, Hunk is going to kill me!” She buried her face in her palms.
“Oh c’mon Shay, As the Avatar I command you tell me who else is coming,”
She lifted her head with a look of defeat, “Hunk managed to invite your old friends Pidge, and Shiro to the festival. It was suppose to be a surprise.”
Lance’s face lit up, filled with pure shock and excitement. He beamed and grabbed Shay by the shoulders, “Pidge and Shiro are coming!?”
Shay’s obvious dread was evident, but she couldn’t hide the small smile trying to break through, “Yes, they will most likely arrive tomorrow afternoon. They were going to surprise you just before the festival.”
Lance burst into laughter, releasing Shay and jumping off the ledge, landing on an air scooter he made without even trying.
“Wooohooo!” He zoomed around the hallway once, flying up and down the walls and spinning through the air before landing perfectly on both feet.
“Thank you Shay! Thank you so much for telling me! That just made my day!” He turned to face her, trying to regain some composure, “And don’t worry, I will do my best to act surprised.”
She let out a small sigh of relief, “Thank you.”
Suddenly the door across from them slid back open to show Allura and master Lyn standing side by side.
“Thank you for your time, Master Lyn,” She said with a bow, which he returned. Allura then walked toward Shay and the elderly man waited in the doorway, eyeing Lance to step back inside. Before he did, he gave Shay a knowing smile followed by a wink which she chuckled at. He then shot a much more flirtatious one to Allura, who rolled her eyes and tugged at Shay’s arm to continue walking down the hallway. Lance watched them go for a moment before ducking back into the dark room.
“Sit.” The old man ordered him.
Lance took his place in front of the small flame, appearing to look completely calm and ready to continue the breathing exercise, but Lyn must have seen right through his lying exterior to the excited, giddy child underneath.
“Lessons will continue tomorrow evening. You need more time to perfect your breathing.”
At first Lance had no objection, but then it hit him that he said ‘tomorrow evening’, “Uh, wait, master, I can’t tomorrow.”
The old man paused and looked at him. His eyes looking so much more threatening with the two flames from the candles reflecting off of their glassy stare.
“The fire nation festival is tomorrow. I can’t-”
“You can and you will. You are the Avatar, and training comes before anything else.”
Lance’s eyes grew desperate, “No, You don’t understand, I can’t just-”
“Continue your breathing exercise.” Lyn said, taking a seat across from him.
Lance’s shot him a glare seeing the old man close his eyes, “Master I’ve been doing nothing but ‘breathing’ all day! I want to go out and relax once in awhile! Besides, shouldn’t the Avatar take time to experience the world around him?”
“Yes, when they have managed to pass the beginner's level of fire bending.”
Lance felt his stomach boil and he let out a shout of frustration, jumping to his feet. The small flame erupted into a large stream of fire that just barely scorched the ceiling. Master Lyn didn’t appear at all phased by this, and kept his eyes closed.
“This is stupid! I have the breathing down! If you are going to keep me cooped in this room than at least teach me something new!” And with that, Lance spun around and stormed out of the room, making sure to slam the door on his way out.